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OhioSB 63136th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

Prohibit use of ranked choice voting; withhold funding for use

Sponsored By: Theresa Gavarone (Republican), William P. DeMora (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

ElectionsState and Local GovernmentLocal Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.

Ohio bans ranked-choice voting with constitutional exceptions

Ohio elections, including primaries, cannot use ranked-choice or instant-runoff voting. These methods remain allowed where Article X or Article XVIII of the Ohio Constitution permits them.

Public gets access to candidate petitions

County election boards must make covered candidate petitions available for inspection or provide copies upon a public records request. They must respond as soon as practicable and use the paper or electronic form requested. Access applies even when petitions are marked or changed, or their signatures have not been certified as valid.

Local governments lose funds for ranked-choice voting

Counties and municipalities that approve ranked-choice or instant-runoff voting by ordinance or resolution lose state Local Government Fund payments. Ineligibility starts the month after adoption and lasts through the month after the approval's last day in effect. The Secretary of State notifies the Tax Commissioner; payment stops or reductions begin the month after that notice. Municipalities with at least 1,000 residents lose direct payments, while qualifying villages and counties face reductions through county funds. By the 10th each month, withheld money, minus required school-zone payments, moves through the state General Revenue Fund. It is credited to the new Ohio highway and transportation safety fund for road safety in the affected transportation districts. Payments resume after notice that approval was rescinded, subject to remaining funding adjustments.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Theresa Gavarone

    Republican • Senate

  • William P. DeMora

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Adam C. Bird

    Republican • House

  • Adam Holmes

    Republican • House

  • Adam Mathews

    Republican • House

  • Al Cutrona

    Republican • Senate

  • Andrew O. Brenner

    Republican • Senate

  • Angela N. King

    Republican • House

  • Beth Lear

    Republican • House

  • Brian Lorenz

    Republican • House

  • Brian Stewart

    Republican • House

  • Cindy Abrams

    Republican • House

  • D. J. Swearingen

    Republican • House

  • David Thomas

    Republican • House

  • George F. Lang

    Republican • Senate

  • James M. Hoops

    Republican • House

  • Jane M. Timken

    Republican • Senate

  • Jean Schmidt

    Republican • House

  • Jennifer Gross

    Republican • House

  • Jerry C. Cirino

    Republican • Senate

  • Jodi Salvo

    Republican • House

  • Johnathan Newman

    Republican • House

  • Josh Williams

    Republican • House

  • Kevin D. Miller

    Republican • House

  • Kevin Ritter

    Republican • House

  • Kyle Koehler

    Republican • Senate

  • Marilyn John

    Republican • House

  • Mark Hiner

    Republican • House

  • Melanie Miller

    Republican • House

  • Michael D. Dovilla

    Republican • House

  • Michele Reynolds

    Republican • Senate

  • Monica Robb Blasdel

    Republican • House

  • Phil Plummer

    Republican • House

  • Riordan T. McClain

    Republican • House

  • Rodney Creech

    Republican • House

  • Roy Klopfenstein

    Republican • House

  • Sandra O'Brien

    Republican • Senate

  • Sarah Fowler Arthur

    Republican • House

  • Shane Wilkin

    Republican • Senate

  • Sharon A. Ray

    Republican • House

  • Stephen A. Huffman

    Republican • Senate

  • Steve Demetriou

    Republican • House

  • Terry Johnson

    Republican • Senate

  • Tex Fischer

    Republican • House

  • Thomas F. Patton

    Republican • Senate

  • Thomas Hall

    Republican • House

  • Tim Barhorst

    Republican • House

  • Tracy M. Richardson

    Republican • House

  • Ty D. Mathews

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 131 • No: 44

Senate vote • 3/4/2026

Concurred in House amendments

Yes: 24 • No: 7

House vote • 2/25/2026

Passed

Yes: 65 • No: 27

House vote • 2/25/2026

General Government: Reported

Yes: 9 • No: 4

Senate vote • 5/14/2025

Passed

Yes: 27 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/29/2025

General Government: Reported

Yes: 6 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor

    3/17/2026Governor

  2. Sent to Governor

    3/12/2026Governor

  3. Concurred in House amendments

    3/4/2026Senate

  4. Passed

    2/25/2026House

  5. Reported

    2/25/2026House

  6. Refer to Committee

    5/21/2025House

  7. Introduced

    5/20/2025House

  8. Passed

    5/14/2025Senate

  9. Reported

    4/29/2025Senate

  10. Refer to Committee

    1/29/2025Senate

  11. Introduced

    1/28/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enrolled

    3/17/2026

    HTMLPDF

  • As Introduced

    HTMLPDF

  • As Passed by the House

    HTMLPDF

  • As Passed by the Senate

    HTMLPDF

  • As Reported by the House General Government Committee

    HTMLPDF

  • As Reported by the Senate General Government Committee

    HTMLPDF

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